Microwave oven's effect on a computer

Spexxvet · 03-01-2007, 05:36 PM

At work there is a computer, on the floor in an office. This computer has recurring problems. It goes through power supplies yearly, and doesn't ever boot right. Right on the other side of the wall, on a counter, is a microwave oven -probably 18 inches away from the computer. I said that the issues with the computer might very well have to do with its proximity to the microwave. The idea was dismissed off-handedly.

Could a microwave oven fuck up a computer, if the two are close to each other?

Perry Winkle · 03-01-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Could a microwave oven fuck up a computer, if the two are close to each other?

I consulted my magic 8 ball. It says that all signs point to yes.

Happy Monkey · 03-01-2007, 06:26 PM

My monitor is sometimes affected by a microwave on the other side of the wall.

zippyt · 03-01-2007, 07:23 PM

It could be o the same AC circut , try moveing the pc accross the room , or whip out the aluminum foil and make a shield for the pc

Spexxvet · 03-01-2007, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyt

It could be o the same AC circut , try moveing the pc accross the room , or whip out the aluminum foil and make a shield for the pc

I'll use the one I always have stuffed down the front of my pants.

zippyt · 03-01-2007, 07:32 PM

I'll use the one I always have stuffed down the front of my pants.

Well if you are going to use one That SMALL , it will probley only cover a USB port !!!

Spexxvet · 03-01-2007, 07:37 PM

ouch!

Happy Monkey · 03-01-2007, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyt

It could be o the same AC circut

That sounds reasonable.

xoxoxoBruce · 03-01-2007, 08:54 PM

Microwaves can be a big draw. If the voltage drops in the AC line the amperage(read heat) goes up...maybe enough to cook the supply.
Check the line voltage with, and without, the microwave running. Also find out what else is on the line that could be effecting the total draw.
Make sure the ground is properly installed on that line too.
If the line voltage is occasionally low with no apparent reason, check the earth ground for the building and the balance of two 220 volt lines in the breaker box.

zippyt · 03-01-2007, 09:06 PM

two 220 volt lines in the breaker box

Bruce , generly these are 110 volt lines ,
110 +110 = 220

Just being a Voltage Nazi

Oh and if you don't know what you are doing then don't mess around in a breaker box or else you could look like this ---->

( Not you Bruce , I am SHURE you have a clue )

wolf · 03-02-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Could a microwave oven fuck up a computer, if the two are close to each other?

If you haven't bent space or time yet with this configuration, you're probably okay.

xoxoxoBruce · 03-03-2007, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyt

two 220 volt lines in the breaker box

Bruce , generly these are 110 volt lines ,
110 +110 = 220

Just being a Voltage Nazi

Yeah, I should have said the two wires of the 220 volt.

Quote:

Oh and if you don't know what you are doing then don't mess around in a breaker box or else you could look like this ---->

( Not you Bruce , I am SHURE you have a clue )

Damn straight.... Why I put breaker boxes on my welding resume. I've got a whole box full of melted screwdrivers, Dykes (not rug munchers) with bites out of the blades and pliers with craters.

One night I was replacing the main panel box, with a live service entrance, using a couple of fluorescent lights on a portable generator. Worst possible moment, the generator threw a rod. First and last time I ever saw fluorescents diiiiimmmm

zippyt · 03-03-2007, 03:19 AM

First and last time I ever saw fluorescents diiiiimmmm

And you back the FUCK up , I call it " take 5 GIANT steps back "

xoxoxoBruce · 03-03-2007, 09:44 PM

Couldn't back up, I was holding the live feed.

tw · 03-03-2007, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

At work there is a computer, on the floor in an office. This computer has recurring problems. It goes through power supplies yearly, and doesn't ever boot right. Right on the other side of the wall, on a counter, is a microwave oven -probably 18 inches away from the computer. I said that the issues with the computer might very well have to do with its proximity to the microwave.

Nobody - even co-wokers - can say. For example, are they on same circuit? Essential fact. Are replacement power supplies the stuff that don't have necessary features? This is common with clone computer supplies.

If microwave waves were causing a problem, then you all get a warm fuzzy feeling at work.

However without doing an autopsy on those supplies, no one can say what is and is not happening. Analysis of what inside the supplies has failed is an essential fact to have any answer.

03-01-2007, 05:36 PM	#1
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	Microwave oven's effect on a computer At work there is a computer, on the floor in an office. This computer has recurring problems. It goes through power supplies yearly, and doesn't ever boot right. Right on the other side of the wall, on a counter, is a microwave oven -probably 18 inches away from the computer. I said that the issues with the computer might very well have to do with its proximity to the microwave. The idea was dismissed off-handedly. Could a microwave oven fuck up a computer, if the two are close to each other? __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

03-01-2007, 06:26 PM	#3
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	My monitor is sometimes affected by a microwave on the other side of the wall. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

03-01-2007, 07:23 PM	#4
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	It could be o the same AC circut , try moveing the pc accross the room , or whip out the aluminum foil and make a shield for the pc __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

03-01-2007, 07:32 PM	#6
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	I'll use the one I always have stuffed down the front of my pants. Well if you are going to use one That SMALL , it will probley only cover a USB port !!! __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

03-01-2007, 07:37 PM	#7
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	ouch! __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

03-01-2007, 08:54 PM	#9
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Microwaves can be a big draw. If the voltage drops in the AC line the amperage(read heat) goes up...maybe enough to cook the supply. Check the line voltage with, and without, the microwave running. Also find out what else is on the line that could be effecting the total draw. Make sure the ground is properly installed on that line too. If the line voltage is occasionally low with no apparent reason, check the earth ground for the building and the balance of two 220 volt lines in the breaker box. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

03-01-2007, 09:06 PM	#10
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	two 220 volt lines in the breaker box Bruce , generly these are 110 volt lines , 110 +110 = 220 Just being a Voltage Nazi Oh and if you don't know what you are doing then don't mess around in a breaker box or else you could look like this ----> ( Not you Bruce , I am SHURE you have a clue ) __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

03-03-2007, 03:19 AM	#13
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	First and last time I ever saw fluorescents diiiiimmmm And you back the FUCK up , I call it " take 5 GIANT steps back " __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

03-03-2007, 09:44 PM	#14
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Couldn't back up, I was holding the live feed. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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